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Despite ample opportunity, dental professionals frequently fall short of connecting tobacco-using patients with effective cessation support, often citing lack of training as a barrier. To inform development of training options, the aim of this study was to quantify the preferences of practicing dental hygienists and dentists in California for continuing dental education (CDE) offerings related to tobacco and patient tobacco cessation. Two statewide surveys of California dental hygienists and dentists were conducted. In addition to providing their own and their practice characteristics, in a discrete choice experiment, participants indicated their preferences between pairs of randomly generated hypothetical tobacco cessation CDE offerings that differed in topic, cost, delivery modality, and duration. Ultimately, 641 dental hygienists (20.5% of the total invited minus those with undeliverable emails, n=3,129) and 654 dentists (8.5% of the total invited minus those with undeliverable emails, n=7,669) responded to at least one of the discrete choice items, and their responses were analyzed. The results showed that each CDE attribute was independently associated with preference. Cost and topic were more strongly associated with preference than were delivery modality and duration. Lower cost, shorter duration courses were generally favored. Alternative tobacco products and patient communication were the most popular topics for participating dental hygienists and dentists, respectively. CDE preferences differed according to participant characteristics: live webinars were the least preferred modality for more experienced dental professionals, and shorter courses were not preferred by dentists in non-urban locations. These findings showed that these dental professionals considered multiple attributes in selecting CDE courses. To reach the broadest audience, CDE providers should offer low-cost options across a range of delivery modalities, such as full-day workshops in rural areas and online webinars for earlier career professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study examined the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of dental hygienists, licensed in the state of California, regarding polypharmacy and off-label drug use for purposes in dentistry. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to off-label drug use and polypharmacy via an online survey tool. The study sample included licensed dental hygienists, who were members of the Long Beach and Tri-County Dental Hygienists' Associations located in Southern California (n=360). Descriptive statistics were used to assess the participant characteristics. ANOVA was used to assess differences in knowledge, attitudes and practices when compared to three key variables: highest academic/professional degree, experience and license type. Results: One hundred seven electronic surveys (n=107) were returned for a 34% response rate. Over half of respondents (53%) held an associates' degree for their license, most (72%) worked in a general dentistry setting and 46% had practiced 15 years or less. Regarding knowledge of polypharmacy and off-label drug use, the results demonstrated very low knowledge, with 25% of the respondents unable to answer any of the knowledge questions correctly. No significant differences in practices related to off-label drugs or polypharmacy were found based on type of licensure, highest degree achieved, or years of experience. However, participants holding a baccalaureate degree or higher were significantly more confident (p =.011) in discussing polypharmacy with patients and colleagues. Conclusion: Participants showed a general low-level of knowledge related to polypharmacy and off-label drug use in dentistry regardless of their level of education, years of experience, or type of dental hygiene licensure; indicating a need for increased pharmacology content in both entry-level dental hygiene programs and continuing education courses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine the perceptions of California dental hygienists (DHs) regarding mandatory continued competence requirements (MCCRs) as a condition for license renewal. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey was distributed through email by the California Dental Hygienists' Association (CDHA). The CDHA agreed to send a link to the survey and informed consent information to DHs whose email addresses were in the CDHA database. The online survey consisted of 19 items. All survey responses were analyzed using frequency distributions for categorical variables and means for continuous variables. Chi-square tests assessed associations between variables and differences between groups. The Wilcoxon signed rank test assessed relationships between perceptions and support of MCCRs for license renewal. Results: Almost all (93%) believed that they have remained competent to deliver care since licensure. Over half agreed that continued competence should be verified throughout ones' professional career (53%). Most (81%) agreed that continued competence is important for patient safety and well-being. Less than half (47%) supported MCCRs as a condition of license renewal; however, 51% of those who agreed that competence is important for patient safety and well-being and 67% of those who agreed with verification of competence were in support of MCCRs. Conclusion: While California DHs agreed that continued competence is important for patient safety and well-being and verification of competence is important, less than half supported MCCRs. Prior to instituting mandate for license renewal in California, continued competence and methods to ensure continued competence throughout ones' career should be defined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the influence of community oral health experiences during entry-level dental hygiene education on participation in community oral health events after graduation and the facilitators and barriers experienced by dental hygienists in participating in these programs. Methods: A 27-item survey, consisting of items related to community oral health experiences during and after entry-level education, was distributed by the California Dental Hygienists' Association to all dental hygienists whose email addresses were in their database. Frequencies of participants' responses to each survey item were calculated. Chi-square analysis was performed to identify significant relationships among variables. Results: Response rate was 8%, with 513 out of the 6,248 contacted having responded. Additionally, 95% of the respondents had participated, as entry-level students, in community oral health experiences such as school-based oral health educational programs. Respondents agreed that participation in these programs was valuable to their professional development and encouraged them to participate after graduation; both these variables were related (p<0.01) to their participation in community experiences as a licensed dental hygienist. Most (75%) respondents reported participation in community events after graduation. The most commonly reported facilitators, encouraging participation, were an interest in helping people (89%) and professional development (59%). Barriers included conflict with work (61%), family time commitment (52%), and no knowledge of existing programs (24%). Conclusion: Dental hygienists' involvement in school-based oral health programs is enhanced by their community experiences as a dental hygiene student. Barriers and facilitators need to be addressed to increase the number of programs and participants so that more children can benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to survey dental hygienists to determine their knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the implementation of caries risk assessment, particularly caries management by risk assessment (CAMBRA), in private dental practices. Methods: A 17 item survey was developed to evaluate dental hygienists' knowledge, attitudes and practices related to CAMBRA and perceived barriers to CAMBRA implementation in private dental practice. Surveys were mailed to a randomized sample of 1,000 dental hygienists licensed to practice in California. Responses were tabulated for each respondent, and the response frequency for each survey item was calculated. Respondents' comments to the open-ended question were compiled, according to themes. Results: The response rate was 18%. Only 66% of the respondents were familiar with the term CAMBRA, although 89% agreed with its underlying principles of risk assessment. CAMBRA protocol had been implemented in 40% of the respondents' employment sites. Respondents disagreed that time (45%) and cost of products (68%) were barriers to implementation. Many did not know their employers' knowledge or attitudes about CAMBRA and its implementation, as evidenced by a “don't know” response range of 29 to 48% for the 4 relevant statements. Respondents' comments included both successes and barriers implementing CAMBRA. Conclusion: CAMBRA protocol has not been widely implemented in private practice, although the current data do not indicate insurmountable barriers. Broader dissemination may be feasible if dental hygienists would obtain more comprehensive knowledge of evidence-based risk assessment protocols and would assume a leadership role in implementing CAMBRA protocols and procedures in private dental practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: As more Americans use dietary supplements, the potential for increased adverse effects increases. The purpose of this study was to identify the current knowledge, attitudes and practice behaviors among California dental hygienists regarding herbal and dietary supplements (HDS). Methods: A stratified random sample of 1,203 registered Cali fornia hygienists were surveyed. The survey included items about personal characteristics as well as questions regarding knowledge, attitudes and beliefs and practice behavior about HDS. Three primary outcomes were analyzed: dental hygienists' knowledge about HDS, attitudes (confidence) about HDS and behavior practices (communication) regarding HDS. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed. Personal characteristics were assessed in stepwise multiple linear regression analysis for impact on knowledge scores. Results: The response rate was 21% (n=249). Dental hygienists have low levels of knowledge and confidence about HDS, as well as poor communication practices related to HDS. California dental hygienists scored a low mean of 38% on their knowledge of HDS. On the confidence scale (standardized range of 0 to 10 possible), hygienists scored 3.67±2.03. On the communication practices subscales (standardized range of 0 to 10 possible), hygienists scored 4.21±2.99 on general communication practices and 1.25±1.66 on specific communication practices. Dental hygienists who were members of the California Dental Hygienists' Association and attended a continuing education course on HDS within the last year or who personally used HDS scored significantly higher in knowl edge, confidence and communication practices than their counter parts. These 3 attributes were identified as significant predicators for higher knowledge about HDS. Conclusion: There is a need to improve California dental hygienists' knowledge and involvement in the active management of patients who take HDS. Such actions can be expected to improve oral health outcomes. Focused training on HDS for hygienists should be designed to improve their knowledge and influence practice be haviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]